Rohnert Park Warriors

The Warrior Creed:

The Warrior Creed represents 8 key characteristics that we found as valuable teaching areas for our children. As a program, we believe in teaching more than the techniques and fundamentals of the sport - we believe in building the "person" rather tham just the athlete. The leaders of our program strive to teach and coach with these 8 creeds in mind. At the end of each year when your child receives a trophy or award - they are recognized for the Creed they best represented all season - rather than a "dust collector" he/she puts on his shelf for "participating". We expect our children to do more than participate. We expect more from them because the world expects more from them and therefore, awards are specific to each individual child. Those children who showed the greatest RESPECT all season - will be recognized as such and so forth. Connecting with each individually is important to us. Additionally, one child from each team is chosen by their Coach who best exemplified all 8 creeds this season. Among those 10 children (five football players and five cheerleaders) - two are chosen to receive the most prestigious of all Warrior Awards. This award is The Overall Warrior Creed. The football player chosen receives a scholarship in Honor of Officer Friendly Larry Jones who died in 2009. "Officer Friendly", as everyone knew him, was a retired Rohnert Park public safety officer who coached youth sports for years and was a big community service supporter. His dedication to his work has been rewarded over the years with awards that included policeman of the year, the outstanding service award from the state Juvenile Officers Association, the J. Edgar Hoover gold medal award and the city's citizen of the year. The cheerleader chosen receives a scholarship in honor of our little angel, Galilea Pena. We lost Gali in 2010 when she was tragically struck by a vehicle. Gali was a vibrant, happy, energetic and sweet Mitey Mite Cheerleader who loved her family and friends and especially loved to cheer. Even at a young age, she was an extremely coachable child who was always where she needed to be for every cheer and routine. She is missed every day by her family - Carlos and Angie Pena, brother Max and sisters Meddie and Koreti.

The Eight Creeds:

Academic Success: Academic success is important because it is strongly linked to the positive outcomes we value for children. Success in school is measured by not only the grades received on a child's report card but how they are able to succeed as a student as a whole in relation to teachers, peers, and teammates. Studies show those who excel academically are more confident in other aspects of their life. While grades do not wholly define you as a person, they will determine whether you are accepted into college and/or tend to determine what type of a career path they will take.

Integrity: Integrity is the adherence to moral and ethical principles. The foundation is laid early on in life and only builds with time. It is soundness of moral character and honesty that is displayed in a child. When a child chooses to "do the right thing" even when he/she believes others are not watching.

Sportsmanship: Those who learn good sportsmanship will not have to come to understand that the real winners in sports are those who know how to persevere and to behave with dignity - whether they win or lose a game. Those who show class regardless of the score and respect their opponents and teammates no matter their abilities are examples of true sportsmanship.

Respect: Respect gives a positive feeling of esteem towards your coach, teammate, opponent and/or officials of the games. It also refers to the specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be demonstrated vocally in how you address others as well as by actions in how you interact and play the game. The easiest way to teach respect is to show respect so that a child can see firsthand the importance it plays in the classroom, life, and on the field. Without respect - it becomes extremely difficult for one to be successful in many areas of their life.

​Commitment: Commitment is the key in teaching a child how to work through adversity. Life is not always fair and life is not always easy. There will be times when your child will be faced with tough times - as parents, leaders, and coaches, it is our responsibility that we reinforce the importance of sticking things out and not "quitting" just because things are not going the way they want (i.e. they are not playing the position they or they are not playing the position YOU as a parent want then to). Supporting your child through the processes of adversity will strengthen their will as they grow older and face challenges in high school, work, and life itself.

Discipline: Discipline is the training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. Discipline refers to methods of molding character and of teaching self-control and acceptable behavior.

Team Work: For a team to work together effectively, it takes all players of the team to respect each other’s abilities. Being part of a team enables your child to move from being closed in to being more opened. It will help a child in all areas of their learning, and help them to feel part of a community. A child who helps his teammates perform at their best will always be there best.​

SPIRIT: Spirit can allow players to assist their team in wanting to succeed. When one "lays it all out on the field every day" and the spirit of the game is their motivation and drive. Their effort is never in question because you know these kids are at their maximum. They are always enthusiastic, excited and pumped for each game/competition and their energy is contagious. They are the leaders on the field.